Face to Face with Danger

I almost stormed out of the conference room when someone grabbed my arm so forcefully that I spun on my heel and I could almost feel my world spinning out, leaving my poor spirit out of my weightless body. I almost dropped myself to the ground when I saw Greg's unbelievably handsome face before me. Apparently, he grabbed me so hard that I fell to his arms - solid rock ones. Wow, I couldn't believe that such thoughts came to me when this person could possibly cause my demise. I was clinging to his shoulder for balance but I couldn't help how close my face was to his. I could feel him breathing on my face only for a few seconds since my rational bitchy spirit kicked me out of my unnecessary tension with Gregory - lucky enough that I stopped myself from examining an exquisite art before my eyes before it turned into something sexual.

Oh, please no! Be wary, Artemis! It is not you! You can't just leave your dignity before your panties just because a man held you in his sexy arms. God, I have to stop before I lose myself.

I felt his arms trembling so I immediately pushed him away from me and stood up. I straightened my blazer and breathed my consciousness back. I shoved that cringe-y embarrassment down my throat and turned to him with my head held high. When I turned towards him, I tried to avoid his gaze - he was caught off guard himself! He straightened himself and being a man oozing established confidence, I watched him get back to his usual bossy persona. I knew the apologetic words before it left his mouth so I cut him off first.

"What the hell was that?" masking my embarrassment with rage and disgust. Mum and Jason were silent before us.

"Sor---"

"No, you're not!" interjecting too much, it made mum and Jason jump a little. Addressing all of them, I said, "Can you all just please leave me alone?! I am sorry, Gregory, if I ever caused you any trouble but I intend to stay out of your way. Anyway, I am not the one you're after here. And mum, I am actually doing you a favor, I am staying out of your sight. And Jason ---- nothing." With that, I left them with the sound of my heels echoing in the empty hallway, feeling the pain of a possible blister in every step.

I immediately ran to a corner to catch my breath. All I could see now is the divine perfection of Gregory's face looking down at me. I got a glimpse of his greyish eyes and full lips. His dark eyebrows and eyelashes fanning at me. I could even remember the hollows etched on the sides of cheeks in between of his high cheekbones and sharp jawline. My arms suddenly felt sore from his grasp. A high-pitched short scream echoed the empty halls after I slapped myself out of the hypnotic trance. I can't even believe how I behaved awhile ago. But I am glad I did, well, except from Gregory-catching-me-before-I-fall part.

I was greeted by April, my secretary, as I entered my spacious, industrial-styled office. I lounged on my leather swivel chair as if I had just got home exhausted from a nine-hour work day - which was actually an understatement, what happened was far more terrible.

April, being her usual perky self who also became my best friend since I joined the company four years ago, stood before me.

"Good morning, boss." She greeted me by handing me my second coffee of the day, a little surprised by my tired and grumpy state. Usually, I come to the office with a fake enthusiasm to match April's energy. I have hated my job since day one.

"Morning, April." I took the coffee from her hand and headed to the closet at one corner. I grabbed my usual, quirky office attire and changed in the restroom. I could still hear April across the office.

"I bet your day didn't start that good. Sorry, I wasn't informed your mom was coming today. But then, I heard Mr. Gregory Lee-Warren is in the house, girl. Anyway, where did you learn to paint your face, you look fresh from a horror house."

April and I have grown too close that we spoke to each other informally - which I required her to - except when we are not alone.

I shouted from the restroom while removing my horrifying make-up. "I did that to piss off mum. Guess what, I shut her down today!" replying with childish excitement.

"Well, let's add that to your Artemis vs Mum Battle tally." She took out a secret board behind the wall where we jokingly tally the times I fought or pissed mum versus the times mum did it to me. Since then, mom has been running for the win. That childish game of ours was the very thing that motivates me to fight mum against her manipulative ways.

Oh my God! I just realized how foolish I looked when Gregory saw my face up close. In an instant, a pool of hot blood rushed to my head. F*ck, that was f*cking embarrassing. I wish I could just die right now. Oh please, God, just kill me right now! I slapped myself again, stifling my scream, as my body writhed in pain envisioning how disgusted Gregory must be. I didn't where did I muster my courage to convince myself to forget everything that happened.

"So, how's Mister Gregory Lee-Warren?" I hint giddiness in April's inquiry. "I heard he is drop-dead gorgeous. And I hate you for taking off yesterday without bringing me to the party!"

Come on, April. Please don't remind me of that guy's existence.

I came out of the restroom wearing my Stanford Cardinal sweatshirt over a black skinny jeans and waterproof Chelsea boots. I put on my glasses and tied my messy hair into a bun. Sitting before an opened laptop, I looked over at April.

"Apes, you know I was kidnapped yesterday. Kidnapped! Taken against my will! If I had the choice, I would've given up my spot for you without any question! And speaking of "Mister Gregory Lee-Warren '', yes, you can actually list him up on your 'physically endowed with breathtaking, exceptional attributes' column but - I mind you, Apes, looks can be truly deceiving. Who would've thought a devil could possess someone who looks like Keanu Reeves or... or... the young Johnny Depp - whoever you deemed gorgeous," explaining with utmost disappointment.

April sat before me with her dreamy eyes giggling like a teenager. "So, you admit he is really gorgeous?"

"No," me trying to drop the topic.

"Really? You just said that he was under the 'physically endowed with breathtaking, exceptional attributes' column. Come on, spill me the deets!"

"Why don't you just read the entertainment articles today - pretty sure, he is on the front page," I suggested in a flat tone.

"Oh come on! I would rather hear from someone who has actually met him, not just anyone who has seen him around!"

Grabbing the tablet from her, I opened the news app to send her away from me - away from her annoying admiration of an evil spawn.

Well, well, I was not wrong. Gregory indeed took up the whole newspaper: front page, business, entertainment. I returned the tablet to April.

"Well, it seems your new crush is the news himself, and I am generously giving you all the time you need to read, just save me from your endless curiosity because I am NOT INTERESTED."

April smiled ear to ear like a kid receiving candy from the Candyman himself. "Ahmmm, okay? Well, they say reading enriches the mind, so I hope you don't mind enriching my mind because…" April slowly walked away from me. "Knowledge is power!"

"International Billionaire Tycoon Gregory Lee-Warren is in the Country; Gregory Lee-Warren, CEO of Lee-Warren Group of Companies, Sees Normany as His Next Business Venture; An Internationally Renowned Industry is Making Waves in Normany; The New Guy is the Most Eligible Bachelor in Town; Lee-Warren and Goldberg Possible Merger is Coming; How to get yourself a Lee-Warren?" April read the headlines as she walked back and forth across the room. "Wow! You're not kidding when you said, Gregory Lee-Warren is the news!"

Reaching my maximum tolerance, I sighed and raised my eyebrow at her, "Miss April, can you please enrich your mind alone? You don't have to poison mine."

"I don't even know if these are reliable! Engaging but questionable. Come on, boss, just tell me!" April pleads with her puppy eyes and pouty lips.

I looked at her with a dead expression. She knew better than to pester me again. Looking at the refreshing green park from afar behind the glass windows, I sighed. Gregory literally shook up the place. He was like a shiny new toy, not only that, a very precious one that every kid is eyeing as a prize and personally, I think, my family is not an exception especially Hera Goldberg. A merger? Come on, the company is doing excellently on its own. We don't need a Lee-Warren to change anything. If it does, I'll see it first before it happens.

Few minutes before lunch, April disrupted me from my boring work. "Boss, an emergency meeting popped up. Your brother is waiting for you for a business meeting over lunch at Seafront's. He said a potential investor for your project is coming to meet you."

I tilted my head, eyebrows crossed as I questioned the validity of the meeting if not just another charade for a family lunch out. I had enough Goldberg stress today. "Who is it?"

"Mr. Richard Yan? And your brother said to dress appropriately."

April smiled teasingly.

Arriving at Seafront's Restaurant, I was energized by the fresh salty breeze of the sea. Meeting a potential investor is very important to me since it could possibly turn one of my projects into an exciting reality. Arming myself with my best 'professional and fashionable' get-up, I walked into the restaurant with unquestionable confidence.

My white vintage half-sleeve sheath dress shone brightly against the midday sun and bright sea. The lunch meeting was in the open area of the restaurant under the canopy. A little less formal meeting, I'd say.

I spotted Jason waving at the only table in the open area. I approached him. A personal chef was preparing sushi at one side. I sat beside Jason, sporting a casual business attire.

Raising my eyebrows at him, I asked, "Is there really a meeting? You seemed too relaxed."

He removed his sunglasses. "Well, first of all, I would like to apologize for what happened this morning. Everything happened so fast before I could react."

"Yeah, right." I answered coolly as if nothing happened as I sipped a cool glass of water.

"Come on. I don't want you and Gregory to get on the wrong foot. I mean, he is my best bud and I want the two of you to get along really well," Jason pleaded.

"I agree to disagree. He is your best bud and not mine."

"Please, Artemis?" I just can't say no easily to Jason's wide smile.

"What do you want me to do?" Giving up fast.

"Apologize to him? I mean, you asked him to lie for you this morning. I mean, you barely know Greg."

My eyes widened in surprise. My mind got dizzy a little as my rage occupied me. "You are unbelievable, Jason! Apologize? You want me to start with that? It isn't my fault I was dragged to a party without my consent. Considering the fact that you hid Gregory's arrival from me. What does that even mean?"

Jason tried to calm me down as he reached for my hand. "Sissy, I am sorry, okay? It was supposed to be a surprise. Mum just got a little bit excited."

"You call that a little bit excited? Are you serious? And, do I strike you as someone to be surprised by Gregory's arrival? The hell I care."

"Artemis? Gregory is my best friend and I want you to treat him as your other brother."

"Was your best friend, Jaze. That was ten years ago! And I don't need another brother. You are more than enough annoying!"

"Sis, can you please do this for me? Greg is important to me," Jason has never been this desperate.

"Okay! You don't have to act like a wet puppy! I'll be a good sister to him as you want me to be." Agreeing to him as I rolled my eyes.

"Well, you better do a good job with it before mum makes it to another agendum."

Getting Hera into the conversation takes everything a different turn. Something is suspicious. "Jason? You better tell me what is going on!"

Jason let out a sigh and cringed. Oh damn! Something fishy is going on here. "Jason!" I shouted at him to spill everything out.

"Okay! I know how Hera works, Artemis. Her mind is full of advantageous agenda and you just have to be around her enough to find out about these."

"And?" Everything with Hera in it is an incoming storm.

"You see how she's a little welcoming, accommodating and generous with Greg and how she's pushing you lately?"

This seemed too funny for me. It looked like we were playing spies breaking down a conspiracy.

"Don't tell me you're jealous of Gregory? With all this Hera's attention towards him made you feel you're not the favorite son anymore?" I teased.

"What?! Are you crazy? Of course, not! Artemis, think like Hera!" Jason said defensively.

"Then, just tell me!" I said impatiently.

"Well, just don't be surprised if you hear wedding bells a-ringing," Jason smiled nervously.

I spat out the water I was drinking in disbelief. "Yuck, that's gross, Jaze! Does mum want Greg, like is she attracted to him? Eww!"

Just disgusting! Mum seeing herself married to a guy not just as old as her son but his best friend? Oh my God! Hera is a different level of crazy!

Jason was stunned, "What the hell are you thinking, Artemis? That's disgusting!"

"You said it yourself! She was almost rubbing herself with Gregory! Oh my God, Jaze, you better send Gregory back to his motherland before everything turns nasty!" I said in disgust that I almost threw up.

Jason just looked at me deadpan. "Stop it, Artemis! I am not talking about mum and Gregory! How could you even think of that?"

"Then what?" I just couldn't tell what he was trying to say. Wait? Does Hera want Gregory and Jason together? She is undeniably their number one fan.

"Wait! Don't say you and Gregory? Oh my God! That is another level of hysteria! Jaze! Don't let evil Hera poison your mind! I mean, is that why you change girlfriends every week 'cause you never liked them?" I am now holding my chest in utter disgust.

I can sense Jason getting worked up and enraged. "Damn you, Artemis! How could you possibly think of that? You are crazier than mum!

Mum.Is.Planning.To.Set.You.Up.With.Greg!"

The way he dropped his words resounded like nuclear bombs.

My mouth was left open and my mind failed to process the thought. I felt my soul leave my body. We were silent for a few moments when a high-pitched voice called my name. It sounded so sweet and endearing that I cringed.

It was Hera. I looked at Jason with tears pooling at my eyes as I saw the evidence before me. This is just UNACCEPTABLE!

Hera clasped her arm around a tall, handsome man in light blue polo and white pants in the name of Gregory.